airports
News and articles about work, policy and workers' struggles in transport and distribution around the world.
France: More workers join strikes
Hundreds of thousands of health workers, civil servants, printers postal workers and air traffic controllers yesterday joined transport and energy strikes over pensions and pay.
Thousands joined street protests in Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg, Marseille, Grenoble, Lyon and other cities.
The 24 hour strike left many schools closed, hospitals providing a reduced service and newsagents without newspapers.
The BBC reported that the French capital's two airports and Marseille airport in the south suffered delays and cancellations.
Ireland: Aer Lingus to be hit by rolling strikes
Airline Aer Lingus faces chaos next Tuesday and Friday as ground staff embark on a series of disruptive work stoppages at all three of the country’s main airports.
The Irish Examiner reported that union SIPTU's 1,800 ground staff will be carrying out four-hour rolling stoppages in Cork, Dublin and Shannon on the two days. Last night, the severity of the action looked likely to intensify as company sources said the airline would suspend workers who took part.
Liverpool airport workers vote for strike
Liverpool John Lennon Airport workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike after refusing a pay offer.
If they go ahead with the walk-out it will shut down the airport. More than 80% of staff, including firefighters, engineers, airside safety and air traffic control staff, have backed a ballot calling for industrial action.
Air France cabin crew strike over conditions
Air France are trying to restore services after a five day strike by cabin crew.
The strike was called by cabin crew over pay and conditions. Workers feel aggrieved that they were asked to give more when Air France was losing money and are now excluded from any benefits now Air France is profitable again.
Israel: Unofficial action disrupts flights
An unofficial go-slow by airline workers has grounded a number of flights in Israel over the past week.
Workers at Eilat-based Arkia Airlines have been staging the work-to-rule as part of an on-going dispute with management. A number of flights have had to be cancelled recently owing to "technical difficulties".
In reality, airline staff have decided amongst themselves to make things as difficult as possible for the company to operate smoothly until demands over pay and conditions are met.
Belgian airport union signs minimum service agreement
The airport security union representing workers at Brussels South Charleroi Airport signed an agreement with the Wallonian regional government which guarantees a minimum level of service in the event of future strikes, according to Belgian weekend press reports.
The agreement guarantees that, in the event of a grievance, all other avenues of dialogue will be exploited before a strike is called, according to Belgian financial daily L'Echo.
According to La Libre Belgique, the text states its aim as 'guaranteeing social harmony' at the airport.
Belgium: Ryanair threatens to axe services after wildcat strike
Ryanair has suspended bookings for flights to and from Brussels' Charleroi airport from November 12.
Ryanair is demanding £1m compensation from the christian CNE union for a wildcat strike by security staff in June. In addition they are demanding that workers agree to maintain a minimum service during strike action. The union has reacted angrily to these attacks on the right to strike.
Cargo handlers at Heathrow on strike
45 workers at Heathrow cargo handlers Nippon Express were on strike over pay and conditions this weekend.
Workers were offered a below-inflation 2.8% pay offer along with the following additional conditions:
1) 44 Days a year more work
2) Overtime rate on Sunday to be reduced to 25%
3) Holiday pay is reduced by 60 - 75 hours
4) Shift pay reduced by £326 (Day shift) and £512 (Night shift)
5) Loss of £1265 a year pay for some workers
6) A 1.7% below inflation pay rise
Strikes at Aer Lingus
Pilots at Aer Lingus will be striking for 48 hours from tomorrow against attacks on their pay and conditions.
Aer Lingus is planning to open a new hub at Belfast airport, which would involve some flights to and from London being diverted from Shannon. Aer Lingus is planning to use this as an opportunity to cut pay and conditions as it employs new staff at Belfast on lower pay and conditions than existing staff.
Scotland: Airport workers to strike over 2% pay offer
After a 2% pay offer - 2.5% pay cut against inflation - fire-fighters and engineering staff in Highland airports in the T&G (Unite) union have decided to strike from July 30.
Starting July 30 a succession of 24hr strikes every week will affect airports across the Highlands and Islands from the largest in Inverness, which is expected to deal with several thousand holiday-makers and travellers at its most busiest time, to smaller airports in "Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick".
